The Roar
The Roar

The Roar

Gibbo

Roar Rookie

Joined April 2021

7.2k

Views

13

Published

94

Comments

Published

Comments

It’s based on the Aussie side’s dominance up until the India series. The issue against India was not so much the tactics (other than their persistent use of the bouncer) as it was more the management. The fact that Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins weren’t rested at all with Pattinson and Neser given a shot (especially Neser in Brisbane) was the critical issue. Those 3 were tired and only Cummins looked like making inroads at times. There was no harm at all resting all 3 of them at some point during the Tests when you had handy backups waiting in the wings.

India’s all out for 36 in Adelaide was testament to the bowling plans working and everything coming together in one perfect innings for the Aussie bowlers. Same in T20 cricket. Langer backed his players, instilled the values of playing for a WA-based side with a crop of WA players and lo and behold, the Scorchers did extremely well.

Australia’s more recent performances have been more of a confidence issue than a skill issue. Once you lose a match in T20 cricket when they’re played so closely together, it’s difficult to regroup. The same mistakes keep piling up and piling up with little to no time to rectify mistakes. Carey as captain. The non-inclusion of Inglis. The persistence with Finch at the top of the order when that clearly wasn’t working. Also, remember that they did not have a first-choice T20 squad (but I’m not sure if that would’ve made heaps of difference).

Producing excellence (Part 1): The value of a coach

View Comment
Cricket
 
3d

He did have to keep Warnie’s ego in check. That’s a full-time job in and of itself!

Producing excellence (Part 1): The value of a coach

View Comment
Cricket
 
3d

Nope, it doesn’t. Boucher was the wrong man for the job, but he may have success yet.

Producing excellence (Part 1): The value of a coach

View Comment
Cricket
 
3d

It’s an interesting point. The reason I separated it here was because I believe that belief and expectation, whilst they go together, are not necessarily inseparable. I have belief that I can hit a home run, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to expectation. I play cricket every season with the belief that I’ll make a 50 and a 100 in the season. I’m still waiting for it to transfer into expectation. ???? regardless, every coach or manager instills an expectation. Yankees fans, as terrible as they are, still live in the Steinbrenner era when they bought championships for fun. The MLB doesn’t work that way any more. Red Sox (and New England fans more generally) fans have tasted success and expect more and thus impose that upon their respective sides. This is reinforced by Alex Cora, Brad Stevens and Bill Belichick as they coach their respective sides.

Producing excellence (Part 1): The value of a coach

View Comment
Cricket
 
3d

He was last year for sure. Belichick has been known for making average players good and good players great and great players superstars. Last year, I think he got too cute and tried to win without a great side. Same with his last year with Brady. I’m a passionate Pats fan, and I couldn’t stand to watch last season.

Producing excellence (Part 1): The value of a coach

View Comment
Cricket
 
3d

There have been reports of players, particularly Travis Head, but also guys like Labuschagne, Pucovski and others who’ve mentioned how Langer has been able to really communicate what they need to do better at her sessions and the like. That, to me, is where the real communication is done.

Producing excellence (Part 1): The value of a coach

View Comment
Cricket
 
3d

Paul, your article has clearly hit a chord with so many. For me, I’ve always thought that the whole concept of “meaningless runs” is a bit, well, meaningless. “Meaningless, meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

I remember recently someone criticising Wade and Warner for only scoring runs in the 4th innings of Tests. By and large, that criticism, particularly about Warner, is true. Runs are runs, no matter when they come. Last season, I averaged 3.87 with the bat and was shunted up and down the order from 1 to 11, never really settling on a spot (that was part of the issue). However, I was prouder of the 10 that I made in the final game of the season (which was my highest score for the year) than I was of all the other 23 runs that had come previously to that. I was prouder of that because I’d finally conquered some mental demons that I’d been battling all season.

I think in Gilchrist’s and Taylor’s cases, there’s a value in the runs piling on the pressure. If the Poms had won in Perth and had potentially made the 403 (scenes of South Africa just a few series later), they could’ve potentially won in Melbourne and Sydney also stealing the series and the retirements of a few Aussie greats. However, Gilly’s innings pushed the lead to a mere 500+. A batsman takes a very different approach when chasing 500 than he does when chasing 400, even if it’s unlikely that the team will get there.

Also, for the record, McGrath’s 61 will still be one of my favourite innings of all time simply for the sheer entertainment value.

There’s nothing wrong with making runs – any time

View Comment
Cricket
 
5d

He learned from the best, Richie Benaud! Oh, wait, wrong sport. Still a great caller, though.

The good, the bad and the Blocker: who are the best and worst of NRL's TV callers?

View Comment
League
 
1w

Danielle, I love your analysis. I know he’s not a TV caller, but one of my favourite callers across sports is David Morrow. The 2GB commentary team of Brohman, Morrow and Riddell is one of the better ones around, IMO, when they stay on task. What do you think?

The good, the bad and the Blocker: who are the best and worst of NRL's TV callers?

View Comment
League
 
1w

Well said. 9 is old and stale. Even the females they have on, Allana Ferguson and Ruan Sims, no disrespect to them, but neither of them is terribly great. I love Billy. I enjoyed Ray Hadley when he was on. He was actually a proper football caller. Matty Thompson reminds me too much of someone who wants to be your bestie all the time and is constantly on a caffeine high. Thurston has some excellent insights when he’s allowed to say more than a sentence, but he needs to get some public speaking training.

The good, the bad and the Blocker: who are the best and worst of NRL's TV callers?

View Comment
League
 
1w

I like the idea, but I’m not sure about the execution. Every single person named in the article above is a valid choice, but where does the split lie? I’d prefer, as some have already mentioned, to see a split with one taking Tests and ODIs and the other taking T20s. I’d also like to see Ponting given a go. He had great success with Delhi, and whilst that’s only one series, I think it’s a good indication of the success he could have with international players.

The Australian coaching role should be split by format

View Comment
Cricket
 
3w

Love this concept, and I wish it were implemented. Good sides, but I’d have Jhye Richardson in there instead. Nic Maddinson hasn’t really fired when needed and seems to go missing in big matches. Travis Head only scores runs on flat decks, so let’s hope that the Gabba has been as flat as it has been in the last few years.

What would a Queensland vs Rest of Australia XI first class game look like?

View Comment
Cricket
 
3w

Growing up in Cairns has made me a passionate Queenslander as well. I’m still annoyed when people like Inglis or Carey get talked about as potential wicketkeepers and not Peirson. Finally, some QLDers are getting the recognition they deserve.

What would a Queensland vs Rest of Australia XI first class game look like?

View Comment
Cricket
 
3w

Love that idea! Scotland, NL, PNG, Afghanistan, Ireland, USA and maybe the UAE or some other country like that?

What would a Queensland vs Rest of Australia XI first class game look like?

View Comment
Cricket
 
3w

Yep. The defence will definitely be better. I’d love to see Payten hire a really experienced former head coach as another assistant to help strengthen the defence and take some of the pressure off him, stop him from overthinking things too much.

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

I see exactly what you’re saying, and I’m very keen to see how the young forwards go. I’d like to see one more experienced voice come in and lead from the front. None of this Lachlan Burr business or Jordan McLean (who, incidentally, probably had his best game in 3 or 4 years on Saturday) being captain stuff. Maybe a Dunamis Lui or someone like that could be an answer? Lui on a 1-year deal, perhaps, whilst the other young guys get some more development time?

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

Lemuelu had some great games as a defender at the end of 2020 and before his injury this year, he was decent in defence. For some reason, after his injury, it was like he forgot how to defend, and how to carry the ball out of trouble. He made way too many errors. Let’s see if he retains his spot for next year. I doubt it.

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

Agree with most of what you said. The issue I have is that they keep buying washed up players from south of the border. Look within your own system, and promote those players.

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

Yep. Well said. I think Townsend could struggle for a starting role. Drinky is good, but he drifts in and out of games too much. Dearden will be better with the win yesterday.

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

You’re right that we won’t displace anybody in the top 8, that’s for sure. I think we’ll challenge Cronulla and maybe the Titans. Canberra will be a step too far (unless they have a crisis like they have had this year). The pack definitely needs a fresh face or two. I don’t like Aaron Woods, so I hope they don’t pick him up, but Dunamis Lui is a great option. TPJ suits the Bulldogs’ culture. Corey Oates is an interesting option. Drinky doesn’t have the talk to be a regular FB. He struggles to organise in the halves. Dearden and Townsend are too similar in style to play in the halves. I wanted them to throw the kitchen sink at Reynolds as he would’ve been a much better pickup. Hammer is a much better FB and with his speed, he’s wasted in the centres.

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

I’m with you there. I think that Molo moving on will help, and Hess playing through the middle rather than on an edge will be much better. I liked the way that Dunn played through the middle in yesterday’s game and that’s an option going forward as well.

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

That’s basically what their roster is: a bunch of ageing stars, some underperforming younger players (like Taumalolo) who should be better, and some up and coming youngsters with huge raps on them. As for the bottom 4 finish, well, 12th is only one place above that, so let’s see.

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

A touch pessimistic, I think. If nothing else, yesterday’s game showed what they’re capable of. Now, that’s all dependent on them staying healthy.

Crystal-ball Cowboys: How the side will look in 2022

View Comment
League
 
4w

He’s right in that age bracket, so it’s a good call. Inglis I addressed in an earlier comment.

What would an Aussie cricket side for Los Angeles 2028 look like?

View Comment
Cricket
 
Aug

Considering i nicked off every single time I faced out swing bowling this year, which is what I bowl, I’d rather not. The others, though, the pies…well…

Bradman: The man, the myth... the keeper?

View Comment
Cricket
 
Aug
Older Comments
close